Difference between revisions of "Stelios Kyriakidis"
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During [[World War II]], Kyriakidis was rounded up with several other Greeks by German soldiers. When the soldiers came across his Berlin Olympic credentials, they released him. All the other men were shot. | During [[World War II]], Kyriakidis was rounded up with several other Greeks by German soldiers. When the soldiers came across his Berlin Olympic credentials, they released him. All the other men were shot. | ||
| − | Kyriakidis felt that God had spared him for a reason and after the war was over, decided - at age 36 - to re-enter the Boston marathon that he could not complete as a younger man. Despite warnings from doctors prior to the marathon that he could die if he ran, Kyriakidis entered and won the race on [[April 20]], [[1946]], in record-breaking time: 2hr 29m 27s. His record would stand until the late [[1960s]]. | + | Kyriakidis felt that God had spared him for a reason and after the war was over, decided - at age 36 - to re-enter the Boston marathon that he could not complete as a younger man. Despite warnings from doctors prior to the marathon that he could die if he ran, Kyriakidis entered and won the race on [[April 20]], [[1946]], in record-breaking time: 2hr 29m 27s. His record would stand until the late [[1960s]]. After finishing the race, Kyriakidis comments to the US media were: "Please, don't forget my country! |
After his victory, Kyriakidis campaigned for humanitarian aid for Greece whose economy had been wrecked by war, occupation and [[Greek Civil War|civil conflict]]. He returned to Greece to a hero's welcome bringing with him aid worth $3,000,000. | After his victory, Kyriakidis campaigned for humanitarian aid for Greece whose economy had been wrecked by war, occupation and [[Greek Civil War|civil conflict]]. He returned to Greece to a hero's welcome bringing with him aid worth $3,000,000. | ||
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Kyriakidis also competed in the [[1948]] London Olympics finishing 18th, however, his mark on history had already been made. | Kyriakidis also competed in the [[1948]] London Olympics finishing 18th, however, his mark on history had already been made. | ||
| − | He died | + | He died on [[December 10]], [[1987]], at the age of 77, which was the number he wore at the [[1946]] race that made him famous. He was survived by his second wife Iphigenia and his son Dimitris. |
[[Category:1909 births|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | [[Category:1909 births|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | ||
[[Category:1987 deaths|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | [[Category:1987 deaths|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Athletes|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | + | [[Category:Greek Athletes|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] |
| + | [[Category:Cypriot Athletes|Kyriakidis, Stelios]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:53, December 10, 2010
Stelios Kyriakidis (alternatively Stelios Kyriakides or Stylianos Kyriakides) was a Greek marathon runner of the first half of the 20th Century.
Originally from Cyprus, Kyriakidis was born in 1909. He ran the marathon in the 1936 Olympics and entered the Boston marathon two years later but failed to finish.
During World War II, Kyriakidis was rounded up with several other Greeks by German soldiers. When the soldiers came across his Berlin Olympic credentials, they released him. All the other men were shot.
Kyriakidis felt that God had spared him for a reason and after the war was over, decided - at age 36 - to re-enter the Boston marathon that he could not complete as a younger man. Despite warnings from doctors prior to the marathon that he could die if he ran, Kyriakidis entered and won the race on April 20, 1946, in record-breaking time: 2hr 29m 27s. His record would stand until the late 1960s. After finishing the race, Kyriakidis comments to the US media were: "Please, don't forget my country!
After his victory, Kyriakidis campaigned for humanitarian aid for Greece whose economy had been wrecked by war, occupation and civil conflict. He returned to Greece to a hero's welcome bringing with him aid worth $3,000,000.
Kyriakidis also competed in the 1948 London Olympics finishing 18th, however, his mark on history had already been made.
He died on December 10, 1987, at the age of 77, which was the number he wore at the 1946 race that made him famous. He was survived by his second wife Iphigenia and his son Dimitris.